The Health and Human Service Commission seeks volunteers to study and make recommendations on mental health condition and substance use disorder parity. HHSC is looking for people with professional or personal experience related to mental health conditions and substance use disorders to participate in the Parity Work Group.

Work group members will be committing their time, experience and knowledge to address issues related to mental health condition and substance use disorder parity and will provide recommendations on:

•  Increasing compliance, enforcement and oversight of rules, regulations and statutes concerning mental health conditions and substance use disorders
•  Improving the complaint process relating to potential violations of these laws for consumers and providers
•  Increasing public and provider education about these laws
•  Developing a strategic plan to increased compliance with rules, regulations and statues 
  

Approximately 18-25 work group members may be appointed by the HHSC executive commissioner. One representative will be selected from each of the following categories:

•   Commercial health benefit plan
•   Mental health provider organization
•   Physician
•   Hospital
•   Children's mental health provider
•   Utilization review agent
•   Independent review organization
•   Substance use disorder provider or a professional with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorder expertise
•   Mental health consumer
•   Mental health consumer advocate
•   Substance use disorder treatment consumer
•   Substance use disorder treatment consumer advocate
•   Family member of a mental health or substance use disorder treatment  consumer
•   Ombudsman for behavioral health access to care
  

For more information, please email Karissa Sanchez at BHAC@hhsc.state.tx.us.

To apply, download and submit an application by Sept. 17: https://hhs.texas.gov/about-hhs/communications-events/news/2017/09/hhs-seeks-volunteers-mh-sud-parity-workgroup